Hi Bob,
The old Catch 22. Back in the Commodore64/128 days, I learned a fair amount of C by rewriting my Basic apps in C. I think the same could be done today.

>>>The question I was begging in my original posting was: What do I learn for the next decade that will replace the spot VFP had for me in the 90's?
>>
>>That is a great question. I would like to hear people speculate on that. If I may rephrase it...
>>
>>If you had to pick one language/development tool other than VFP to enhance your skill set for maximum marketability over the next five years, what would it be?
>
>If you question is... where do I think I can be sure I have a job, I would say Visual Basic... [and be paid well] VB with SQL7, and be paid Better VB with Oracle.
>
>I also think that Java will be pervaisve in the market place also.
>
>Now, C++ would be a good choice, it seems that there is ALWAYS well paying work for C++ developers... So, this may be my choice.
>
>Now, a new question...
>
>How do you get experience in a different language when you can't get hired to use that langague without having experience?
>
>BOb